This delightful snapshot of Johnnie and Mandy Anderson Spell was likely taken in the 1970s. 

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In the 1910 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer James O. Spell, 28; wife Martha, 29, farm laborer; and children Marcellus, 8, Johnnie, 7, Rosetta, 5, and Lonnie, 3.

In the 1920 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Bud Spell, 50; wife Martha, 48; and children Buck, 16, John, 15, Rosetta, 13, Lonnie, 11, Wilce, 9, May, 8, James, 6, Lena M., 3, Mattie, 2, and Walner, 1.

In the 1920 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer John Anderson, 33; wife Lydia, 35; and children Sylvester, 18, Paul, 10, Manly [Mandy], 8; Virginia, 6; Mary, 3; and John Jr., 3 months.

In the 1930 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Bud Spell, 54; wife Martha, 48; and children John, 25, Lonnie, 21, Wiley, 19, Mary L., 17, Jone, 15, Lena M., 14, Mattie, 12, Walter, 10, Daisy, 8, James, 18, Blue, 19, and Ami, 29.

In the 1930 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Paul Anderson, 19; mother Lydia, 40; sisters Mandy, 18, Virginia, 16, and Mary, 14; and brothers John, 9, Ben, 6, and Robert L., 2.

On 2 February 1931, Johnnie Spell, 22, of Black Creek, son of Bud and Martha Spell, married Mandy Anderson, 18, of Black Creek, daughter of John and Litty Anderson, at Jonie [Jonah] Barnes‘ residence in Black Creek. “Minister of the Chrisson faith” J.H. Artis performed the ceremony in the presence of Jonie Barnes and F.E. Horn of Black Creek and James Tabrim [Tabron] of Wilson.

In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Jonny Spell, 35; wife Mandy, 27; and children Robert Lee, 9, Alberta, 4, John Jr., 2, and Mandy D., 4 months.

In 1942, Johnnie Spell registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 6 September 1904 in Wilson County; lived on Route 3, Wilson, Black Creek township, Wilson County, at Mrs. P.L. Woodard’s farm; his contact was Lydia Anderson, Black Creek; and he was employed by Charlie Bass, Route 3, Wilson.

In 1946, Robert Lee Spell registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 3 August 1928 in Wilson County; lived in Stantonsburg, Wilson County; his contact was father Johnnie Spell; and he worked farming with his father on the W.L. Shelton farm, Stantonsburg.

In the 1950 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Johnny Spell, 45; wife Amanda, 39; and children Robert L., 21, Alberta, 14, Johnny Jr., 12, Amanda D., 11, Mary E., 6, Martha L., 5, Roy S., 2, and Charlie G., 2 months.

Liddie Anderson died 3 September 1963 in Black Creek township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 12 October 1896 in Wilson County to Robert Woodard and Linnie Taylor; and lived in Fremont, Wayne County, N.C. Amanda Spell, 204 Reid Street, Wilson, was informant.

Johnnie Spells Sr. died 18 September 1984 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 6 September 1902 in Wilson County to James Arthur Spells and Martha Harris; was married to Mandie Anderson; and was a tobacco worker. Mandie Spells, 900 East Nash Street, was informant.

Wilson Daily Times, 21 September 1984.

Mandy Anderson Spell died 9 December 2005.

My thanks to Roy S. Spell Jr. for sharing this photo of his grandparents.